United Airlines Bans Antlers and Then Un-Bans Them

Antlers are now allowed back on United Airlines. Photoshopped by AirlineReporter.com

I realize the timing of this story might be a bit poor, but it is just a coincidence…

I never realized that airlines allowed passengers to check or carry-on antlers. About a month ago, United Airlines tried to stop the practice, but met with harsh protest. A combination of antlers damaging other people’s luggage and hunters complaining that their antlers got damaged, caused United to put an end to transporting them all together.

Most other airlines allow the transport of antlers, but have strict packing policies and won’t transport them unless they are packed safely. The Professional Outdoor Media Associates (POMA — a big group of hunting/fishing writers) complained loud enough to make United re-think their ban. Robin Urbanski from United Airlines stated that United, “heard their customers’ complaints”, and was responding. “Soon,” he told POMA, “we will begin accepting antlers and animal horns as checked baggage again.”

“We will soon publish new requirements – and ones we previously did not have – about packaging and cleaning antlers and animal horns to ensure their safe, clean transport,” Urbanski continued. United will limit the size of antlers and horns brought on an aircraft according to the size of the plane.